A THIEF stole five bottles of champagne moments after England lost to France in the nail-biting Euro 2004 match.

The man - who has a distinctive tattoo on his neck - walked into The Wine Rack on Westbourne Road, Marsh, just before 10pm on Sunday and picked up five bottles of bubbly normally associated with celebrations.

He put them under his clothes and left.

He is African- Caribbean, in his 30s and 5ft 10in tall, with short, black, curly hair.

A tattoo on his neck looked like a Chinese symbol - or possibly even a barcode.

He wore a baggy dark blue T-shirt, jeans and a light baseball cap.

Phone Pc Lisa Town on 01484 436659.